Friday, January 17, 2014

In 1995, he became the first Major Leaguer in 31 years following the pioneer pitcher Masanori Murakami (1964-65), and stirred a great sensation in the MLB. His fast ball and forkball in the unique tornado pitching earned another spectacular first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995. He fanned 236 batters, the most in the National League, started in the All-Star Game, and won the Rookie of the Year. The Doctor K played for 7 teams (Dodgers, 1995-98, 2002-04; Mets, 1998; Bulwers,1999; Tigers,2000; Red Sox, 2001; Devil Rays, 2005; and Royals, 2008). One of his feats was a no-hit, no-run game in both the National and American Leagues.

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I wonder if Japanese HOF voters take into account a player's performance in MLB.

Yes, they do. Nomo and Sasaki are the first two players to split their careers between NPB and MLB to be elected, although Wally Yonamine played in the PCL before playing in Japan.

Nomo is only the THIRD player to be inducted in their first year of eligibility - even Shigeo Nagashima and Isao Harimoto had to wait!

Nomo, who was a star for the Kintetsu Buffaloes and Los Angeles Dodgers, is the third person to be selected in his first year of eligibility (following Victor Starffin in 1960 and Sadaharu Oh in 1994). He is the youngest person to be inducted, at age of 45 years, 4 months, surpassing the late Tetsuharu Kawakami (at 45 years, 8 months).

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame includes a lot of people who never played professional baseball in Japan. There are far more administrators/coaches than in the US Hall, and there are quite a few college players from the early days before pro ball was started in 1936. One of this year's inductees, Choichi Aida, never played in NPB, but was a college coach, umpire, and administrator after WW2. They have also inducted Americans who have impacted the game, such as Horace Wilson, who is credited with introducing baseball to Japan in the 1870s, and Lefty O'Doul, for his decades-long relationship with Japanese baseball.

Wow, I missed Nomo's first no-no. I wish there was some consideration in the US HOF for Nomo, given his status as the first Japanese player to come thorough the posting system. But reality is, his overall career didn't merit any (much like another dodger-mania).

Nomo wasn't posted, he used a loophole in his contract. He retired from his Japanese team, then was free to sign with the Dodgers. Doesn't change your overall point. A few years from now the Hall should have a display devoted to Nomo, Ichiro, Matsui, Murakami, and other NBP players who came over to play in MLB.

The hall should have that already. A display honouring those who came over from Japan showing how they impacted the game would just be logical. Should be ones for Caribbean players and other areas too.

The hall should have that already. A display honouring those who came over from Japan showing how they impacted the game would just be logical. Should be ones for Caribbean players and other areas too.

Fair enough, but I was thinking that it'd be nice if they went all out when/if Ichiro gets voted into the Hall by having an exhibit on Japanese baseball. Have bits on early 1900's tours of Japan, Lefty O'Doul, Sadaharu Oh, Nomo, etc.

The last time I went to the hall they did have an exhibit on Caribbean players. I'm not sure if it is temporary or permanent, but they had displays on all the countries, videos of players talking about baseball in their home country, etc. There's more info on the HoF website here.